Renewables Pass "Positive Tipping Point" Globally, UN Reports

According to two new United Nations reports released in July 2025, the world has officially passed a “positive tipping point” in the shift to renewable energy. UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the milestone as a defining moment, announcing that “the fossil fuel era is flailing and failing” as solar and wind power dominate new global electricity capacity. Together, renewables accounted for over 92% of new electricity generation added to the global grid in 2024—an unprecedented record that confirms clean energy’s irreversible momentum.

The UN’s Seizing the Moment of Opportunity and Renewable Energy Makes Economic Sense reports highlight how solar, in particular, has outpaced every other energy technology on Earth. They reveal that renewables now provide nearly a third of global electricity and employ over 35 million people worldwide.

Why Solar is Now Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels

Economic advantage, not just environmental concern, is driving the global clean power revolution. Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that solar energy is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels, while onshore wind is 53% cheaper. Less than a decade ago, solar power cost four times as much per kilowatt-hour as coal or gas. This historic price reversal means renewables have become not only the sustainable choice but also the rational economic one.

This transformation has been driven by advances in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, plummeting battery storage costs—down 93% since 2010—and global manufacturing scale. In total, 582 gigawatts of renewable capacity were added in 2024, nearly 20% higher than the previous year. More than 90% of those projects were more economically viable than fossil fuel alternatives.

What a Positive Tipping Point Means For the Planet

A “positive tipping point” refers to a self-reinforcing cycle where change becomes unstoppable. For renewables, that means falling prices, expanding infrastructure, and surging investment now drive further adoption without policy subsidies. The two UN reports confirm clean technologies have crossed the line from niche to mainstream, marking one of the fastest industrial transitions in history.

Clean energy sectors accounted for 10% of global GDP growth in 2023, according to IRENA, contributing 6% of US growth, 5% in India, and as much as 33% in the European Union. These figures underscore the economic resilience of renewables during a time of volatile fossil fuel markets. Guterres described the shift as “the dawn of a new energy era—one where inexpensive, clean, and abundant energy fuels a world rich in opportunity.”

Are Geopolitical Challenges Slowing the Transition?

Despite the optimism, the UN and IRENA caution that rising geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs could hinder progress. Supply chain constraints for critical materials such as lithium, copper, and rare earth metals may briefly increase costs. However, the overall trend remains clear: renewables are consistently outcompeting fossil fuels across every continent.

The 2025 Global Renewables Summit in New York emphasised the need to “triple renewables and double efficiency by 2030,” reinforcing the COP28 UAE Consensus targets. While today’s figures are encouraging, countries must still add approximately 1,100 gigawatts of renewable capacity per year to meet climate goals.

How the Solar Boom Shapes the UK Energy Landscape

In the UK, record solar deployment aligns perfectly with these global patterns. According to the National Grid, solar-generated electricity reached more than 15 GW capacity by mid-2025, an increase of 13% on the year before. For British homeowners and businesses, this translates into tangible savings—typical solar households now save around £425 per year on electricity bills.

For renewable specialists like Atlantic Renewables, the message from these UN findings is clear: solar power has become the cornerstone of affordable, secure energy. The firm’s engineers continue to install high-performance PV systems across the UK, integrating battery storage and heat pump technology to maximise household independence and long-term value.

Is Solar Power the Key to Energy Security?

Energy security is increasingly seen as a by-product of renewables. Distributed solar generation—especially rooftop solar PV—is proving essential for energy stability, reducing exposure to international gas markets and supply shocks. With large-scale solar farms and residential arrays expanding nationwide, the UK is less reliant on imported fuels while cutting carbon emissions significantly.

The rapid adoption of battery storage technologies now enables households to store daytime solar power and use it at night, further lowering grid demand. As global production scales up, these systems are expected to drop another 30% in cost by 2030.

Will the ‘Tipping Point’ Hold Firm?

Analysts predict the tipping point reached in 2025 will only deepen. Solar and wind are growing faster than any other power source in history—by 31% and 7.7% respectively in the first half of 2025 alone. As costs continue to fall and global investment exceeds $2 trillion annually, fossil fuels are losing both market share and investor confidence.

The challenge ahead will be ensuring global equity: accelerating renewable access in developing regions while maintaining grid stability and affordability in mature ones. Guterres has called for “urgent, coordinated effort to make renewables available for all—not just affordable, but accessible.”

Get in Touch

If you’re inspired by the UN’s findings and want to reduce your own reliance on fossil fuels, the team at Atlantic Renewables can help. Our engineers design, install, and maintain cutting-edge solar PV and battery storage systems tailored to your needs. Call us on 0161 207 4044 to start your transition to cheaper, cleaner energy today.